Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected the possibility of talks with Pakistan after a deadly bombing last week sparked new violence in the disputed Kashmir region yesterday and raised tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Four Indian soldiers, three militants, one police officer and one civilian were killed yesterday in a gunbattle in Pulwama district, not far from the site of a rebel bombing that killed 40 paramilitary soldiers on Thursday.
Addressing the press alongside visiting Argentine President Mauricio Macri in New Delhi, Modi exhorted the world to unite against terrorism.
“The Pulwama terror attack (bombing) shows that the time for talks is over,” Modi said in a reference to a possible dialogue with Islamabad to ease tensions.
“Now the entire world needs to unite to take concrete steps to deal with terrorism and supporters. Not taking strict measures against terrorism and those against humanity, also encourages terrorism,” he added.
Thursday’s attack came at a time when India is readying for general elections, which are due by May.
Attacks on Kashmiri people have been reported from several parts of India since the deadly bombing last week.
Human rights group Amnesty has called on Indian authorities to ensure that Kashmiri people are not targeted or face harassment and arbitrary arrests in the aftermath of the attack.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on as Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri speaks during a joint press briefing at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi yesterday.
